Manual aeroplane



J. KUKELL.

MANUAL AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION man MAR. 15. 1920.

Patented Nov. 2, 1920.

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J. KUKELL.

MANUAL AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I5. 1920.

1,357,240. Patented N v. 2,1920.

3 SHEETS-*SHEET 2" INVENTOR. Jo/m, Kuk ell A TTORNE Y.

J. KUKELL.

MANUAL AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 15. I920.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MANUAL AEROPLANE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

, Patented Nov. 2, 1920.

-Application filed March 15, 1920. Serial No. ae5,s44.'

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN KUKELL, a citizen of Czechoslovakia, residing at Pleasant City, county of Guernsey, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Manual Aeroplanes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flying machines of the type provided with reciprocating wings and which are known under the general name of ornithopters.

The invention has for an object to provide a machine of this type of simple construction and arrangement adapted to be manually operated, a further object being to provide a rotating propeller device adapted to be operated in conjunction with the reciprocating win s.

For further comprehension, of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel feature of the invention are more particularly set forth.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a front view of a flying machine constructed according to my invention, indicating the operator in position therein.

Fig. 2 is a side View thereof.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of one of the rotary propellers.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the machine.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of the series of co-axial gears through which both the wings and the propeller are operated.

Referring now to the drawings the frame of my improved flying machine comprises a pair of sideplates 10 having their lower ends forwardly offset as at 10. The upper ends of these plates are rigidly connected together by a pair of crossbars 11 disposed at the front and rear edges thereof, a second pair of crossbars 12 extending rigidly between the plates in vertical alinement with the first pair at a point approximately midway between the upper and lower ends of the plates, the front crossbars being curved as shown in Fig. 4:.

Fixed to the tops of the plates 10 and projecting across and laterally from the top edges thereof are the angular straps 13 the outer endsof which form hinge eyes to which are hinged as at the inner ends of arms 14 forming the frames of a pair of wings 15 formed by stretchnig a suitable fabrlc over these arms. As shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings the front edges 16 of these wlngs are convexedly curved while the rear edges 17 are flared backwardly slightly from the inner to. the outer ends of the wlngs, the front edges preferably extending laterally beyond the rear edges, the outer ends 18 being concavedly curved. As seen in front View the wings are curved from end to end with their concave surfaces downward, the rear edges curving down be yond the front edges.

These wings are adapted to be reciprocated or oscillated by means of rigid links 20 pivotally connected at their upper ends to the under sides of the wings as at 21 near the inner ends thereof, there being a pair of links to each wing which connect thereto near the front and rear edges thereof. These links 20 receive motion from a pair of shafts 22 extending parallel to the plates 10 and journaled in the lower ends of angular brackets 23 fixed to these plates, the front link of each wing being connected to a crank pin 24 on a bevel gear 25 fixed on the front end of the shaft 22, the rear link connectin in a like manner with a disk 26 fixed on the rear end of the shaft. The bevel gears 25 mesh with like gears 27 suitably journaled on the plates and having fixed co-axially thereto the spur gears 28 which mesh in turn with larger gears 29 journaled in the offset lower ends 10 of the plates 10. These gears have fixed co-axially thereto other gears 30 meshing in turn with a pair of gears 31 journaled in the lower ends of the offsets 10, these latter gears being fixed on stub shafts 32 provided with the cranked pedals 33.

Fixed co-axially to each of the bevel gears 27 is a pinion 35 meshing with a second pinion 36 fixed on the inner end of a shaft 37 journaled in the bracket 23 and provided propellers each comprise four vanes or blades which extend in rectangular formation from the shaft and have their outer edges curved as at 38. these edges curving. uplward on the forward side of the machine.

with a propeller 38 on its outer end. Thesethe pedals are operated movement will be imparted both to the wings 15 and propellers 38 while each Wing and propeller is operated independently of the other. To assist the operator in starting the machine the gears 30 are provided with crank handles 50 adapted to be rotated by assistants so as to supply extra power in starting, while handles 51 may be fixed to the front of the plates 10 to be ras'ped by the operator.

Having thus escribed my invention what i I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, of the United States is as follows- 1. A flying machine comprismg a palr of side plates having their lower ends forwardly offset, bars rigidly connecting the upper parts of said side plates, wings hinged to the upper ends of said side plates, rigid links connected at their upper ends to said wings, a air of bevel gears, with which the lower on s of the said links have crank connections, a second pair of bevel gears journaled in the said side plates and meshing with the first flpair, cranked pedals journaled in the 0 side plates, and trains of gears operatively connectin said cranked pedals with said second pair of bevel gears.

2. A fiyinglmachine comprising a air of side plates aving their lower en s forwardly oflset, bars rigidly connecting the upper parts of said side plates, wings hinged to the upper ends of said side plates, rigid links connected at their upper ends to said side plates,a pair of bevel ears with which the lower ends of the said inks have crank connections, a second pair of bevel gears journaled in the said side plates and meshing with the first pair, cranked pedals journaled in the offset lower ends of the said side plates, and trains of gears operatively connecting said cranked pedals with said second pair of bevel gears, and straps connected to said side plates whereby the operator may be supported between the latter in position to engage the said pedals with his feet.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

JOHN KUKELL.

set lower ends of the said 

